Community Coordinator

Volunteers of America Northern New England serves people and communities in need and measures company success in positive changes in the lives of individuals and communities we serve. We provide competitive wages, excellent benefits, and highly rewarding opportunities. It is more than a job- it is a service within a wonderful culture VOA Northern New England is proud to be a certified Great Place to Work organization

Position Title: Community Coordinator

Location: Cabin in the Woods: Chelsea, Maine

Pay: $22/hour

Position Overview: Reporting to the Vice President of Program Operations, the Community Coordinator will work closely with adult Veterans and their families who are living in permanent housing but have previously experienced periods of homelessness (and may be struggling with a mental health diagnosis, a physical disability or addiction). The Community Coordinator is responsible for developing a strength based, community centered environment to engage Veterans and their families in services and activities designed to promote safety and personal well-being. This includes assisting residents in obtaining the services they need or want to maintain self-sufficiency, job retention and life satisfaction. The position entails identifying and gaining access to desired services, coordinating community outreach, advocacy, and community-building, and resident problem solving and crisis intervention. Ensuring all activities are conducted in compliance with the funding source, program, and agency policies and procedures

Essential Job Functions:

1. Support the Property Manager by assisting residents with first level interface to help residents understand and comply with leasing regulations.

2. Develop and continue to grow weekly community meetings and values that build a supportive community.

3. Assist residents in identifying the services and benefits needed to maintain independence, self-sufficiency, life satisfaction and well-being.

4. Link residents with existing services by creating a network of contract persons within the community's social service agencies to facilitate resident access to programs.

5. Work with residents to develop and implement new on-site services that are specific to residents' preferences, as appropriate.

6. Coordinate and oversee the delivery of supportive services developed for the housing complex, as well as individualized formal and informal supports.

7. Work with residents to develop a sense of fellowship and community using organization and facilitation skills. This may involve the development of resident associations, project-based newsletters, welcoming committees, orientation packages, support groups, etc.

8. Assist residents in securing and/or creating social programming opportunities which meet the recreational, health, educational and spiritual needs of the housing community, and which enhance the quality of life at the site.

9. Work with residents to resolve individual as well as group conflicts.

10. Work with residents to develop community-oriented activities, which build bridges between people, promote active interest in the life of the property, and generate self-sufficiency.

11. Model appropriate behavior and maintain appropriate boundaries.

12. Help market the housing property through networking contacts in the community.

13. Maintain accurate, up-to-date case files in accordance with policies and procedures.

14. Document conversations with or about residents, referrals made on behalf of residents, problems identified and residents' refusal or acceptance of services.

15. Develop a working knowledge of housing rules and issues such as reasonable accommodations, the lease and lease violations, etc.

16. Develop awareness of funding sources and requirements.

17. Prepare reports for management, funding sources, and regulatory agencies, as appropriate.

18. Work with management, staff, families, and community social service agencies to identify and address resident problems before they reach crisis proportions.

19. Provide follow-up to referrals to ensure appropriate service delivery. Help residents apply for fair hearings when there is reason to believe the resident is eligible for a denied service.

20. Refer for case management any resident experience problems, that threaten health, safety and continued independence, while supporting the resident in remaining at home.

21. Assist housing management staff, family members, and the community in understanding the changing needs of residents.

22. Work closely with the Veteran Case Management team to coordinate and communicate activities and needs.

23. Maintain positive working relationships with collaborative community agencies and funding sources.

24. Participate in and contribute to other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Human Services or appropriate field is preferred. A combination of work experience and training / education may be acceptable

2. At least two years' work experience serving Veterans or chronic homeless populations

3. Knowledge of community support services available to Veterans and/or homeless adults and families, as well as the eligibility requirements for accessing those services

4. Ability to listen to and assist residents in defining their problems, to help identify possible solutions and resources, and to establish trusting relationships with residents, individually, and as a group

5. Ability to seek input from residents, to research possible service vendors, to evaluate services delivered and adjust, if needed

6. Ability to counselor advocate in non-judgmental ways to empower residents to make personal decisions and enhance their self-esteem and independence

7. Ability to develop community-oriented activities that build bridges between people, promote active interest in the life of the property, and generate resident self-sufficiency

8. Ability to understand the needs and resources of both the Veteran and family housing community and the service provider network, facilitating cooperation between those two groups for the benefit of residents

9. The incumbent must have a sufficient level of computer skill to effectively use the systems (e.g., word processing, recordkeeping, and reporting), email, and the Internet in use by the agency as a routine part of daily work activities

10. The incumbent must maintain all required professional licenses and professional training and also successfully complete other training required by regulation, funding source, or the agency, such as CPR and handling of hazardous materials.

ADA Compliance:

Volunteers of America is an equal opportunity employer; and all employment-related decisions are made without consideration of individuals' race, sex, age, national origin, disability status or any other protected characteristic .

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person